Blacks at Microsoft Scholarships 2018

Deadline: March 1, 2018

Blacks at Microsoft (BAM) is accepting applications are open for the Blacks at Microsoft Scholarships 2018. BAM is a company-sponsored employee network dedicated to supporting the continued growth and development of black employees at Microsoft Corporation.

This year, BAM will award two US$5,000 scholarships to outstanding high-school seniors who are interested in pursuing careers in technology. The scholarships are renewable, so winners who continue to meet the criteria can receive an annual $5,000 award for up to four years.

Eligibility

To be considered for a BAM Scholarship, you must:

• Be a high-school senior of African descent (for example, African American, African, or Ethiopian).
• Plan to attend a four-year college or university in the fall of the year following high-school graduation.
• Plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, computer information systems, or select business programs (such as finance, business administration, or marketing).
• Demonstrate a passion for technology.
• Demonstrate leadership at school or in the community.
• Have a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher.
• Require financial assistance to attend college.

The BAM Scholarship is available to students throughout the United States. Scholarship applicants must be planning to pursue a bachelor’s degree, but students who plan to begin their degree program at a two-year college are welcome to apply.

Application

To apply for a BAM Scholarship, print and fill out the application. Enclose it in an envelope with the following items:

• Two letters of recommendation. At least one letter must be from a faculty or staff member at your school. Letters of recommendation should be original and should not be duplicates of college recommendation letters. (Letters must be on letterhead.)
• Résumé. Your résumé should include the following information:
  • Extracurricular activities (school and community related)
  • Honors and awards that you have received (if possible, include awards that are technology related)
  • Work experience
• Picture of yourself.
• Transcript. Include an official “sealed” copy of your current academic transcript. (Unofficial copies will not be accepted.). NOTE: Yes. If you cannot obtain an official transcript from your school, you can send an unofficial transcript with your application. However, if you are selected as a finalist, you will be required to submit an official transcript.
• Two essays.
  1. In no more than 500 words, describe how you plan to engage in the technology industry in your future career. (If you have done exemplary work using technology during high school, please describe that also.)
  2. In no more than 250 words, demonstrate your financial need for this scholarship.

Mail your completed application to the following address by March 1. You will receive a response by April 15.

• The Seattle Foundation
• c/o BAM Scholarship
• 1200 5th Avenue, Ste. 1300
• Seattle, WA 98101

Download the BAM Scholarship application (Microsoft Word document, 88 KB)

For more information, visit Blacks at Microsoft Scholarships.